Build on strengths, develop ‘imaginative' projects to keep up in tourism race

PM Wong says S’pore can’t be complacent, suggests leveraging its history, connectivity

- Anjali Raguraman

Other countries are stepping up their game in the competition for tourists and, to keep up, Singapore will need to play to its strengths and be more imaginative, all while keeping the human touch, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

Speaking at the Singapore Tourism Board's (STB) annual Singapore Tourism Awards on June 28 at the Raffles City Convention Centre, PM Wong noted that the country has come a long way in developing tourism, but travellers today have many options and Singapore cannot be complacent.

"We know that we have many options in different places, and it's really not that simple or easy for Singapore to compete," he said.

"In our immediate region alone, there are so many interesting things... If you want to go for nice beaches, there are so many options to explore, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines - nothing that we can match.

"If you are interested in history, there are also many well-known heritage places to visit around the region... So, what is Singapore to do, how do we compete?" One strategy is to build on Singapore's strengths, including its history, its position as a business hub and its connectivity, PM Wong said.

"We can't be all things to all people... We should focus on our Singapore Story - how people from diverse backgrounds have come together as one, and how we have worked together to transform this place from mudflats to metropolis," he said.

He gave the example of how the Urban Redevelopment Authority's Singapore City Gallery was not set up for tourism, but has nevertheless become a popular tourist draw.

Singapore is also one of the world's most popular destinations for business meetings and Mice (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) events, he added.